Mail-box



A. F-. MARTEL MALL Box. APFLICATIQN FILED F .7 .1916. RENE ED MAY.I9. 1920*. n

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MAIL Box. l APPLICATION FAILED FEB. 7, 1916. RENEWED MAY I9, |920.V

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADELARD F. MARTEL, or BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNoR To JAMES A. GRANT, or BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA.

MAIL-B0X.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Application inea February 7, 1916, serial No. 76,554. Renewed May 1e, 1920. serial No. 382,684.

To all whom t may Concern.' Y

Be it known that ADELARD F. MARTEL, citizen ot the United ,'St'vates, residing at Burlingame, county ot San Mateo, State of California, have invented'certain newpand useful mprovements in Mail-Boxes, whereof the following is a specification.

rThis invention relates to mail boxes,l such as are used at street corners and public buildings for receiving mails. p

1n the present invention 1 pivot the receiving` member below its top, so that, as the bottom swings outward to discharge its contents, the top will swing inward and close a swinging receiving chute. Also the act of swinging the bottom outward will open the mail bag, which has Vbeen previously hung in posit-ion, upon hooks, provided :tor the purpose. And this act of swinging the bottom outward may be accomplished by pulling upon the key, which has been previously inserted in the key hole, and given a quarter turn,`to unlock th'e box. Furthermore the loclr is so arranged that the tumbler case may be removed and substituted by another, thus changing the control ot the box without 'disturbing its other parts.

1n tlie accompanying` two sheets of drawing 1 have illustrated a box containing the invention in what 1 consider its best form. Other features. than those named above, being shown and hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of a box. closed and ready for the reception ot mail.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross section showing the locking means.

Fig. 3 is a section at right angles to Fig. 2 and at one end thereof and shows the detail 'oit the corner of the box, and the locking bolt.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the middle of the box, the box being closed, but 'the key inserted, and the mail bag hung in position to receive the contents.

Fig. 5 is the same, but with box open.

rThe mail in the box has been omitted `for greater clearness ot the figures.

1n these figures :-1 is the outer casing or member of the box, provided with the hood 2, and the flap 8, which pulls outward by the usual handle 4, to permit the insertion of a letter.

5 is the interior receptacle, or receiving member, pivoted in the outer casing, as will be presently described.

6 isV an overhanging plate, which serves the double purpose of shedding water away from the lock, and from a bag upon the hooks, and of astop to limit the outer swing of the receptacle 5, as will be explained further on.

7 are hooks at the bottomot the outer casing'1,and 8 are similar hooks Vupon the bottom of the Vinner receptacle 5, upon which hoolrs the mail bag is hung, when the box is to be emptied.

The receptacle 5 is pivoted at a 'point below its top and forward ot its middle line7 by the pivots 9, so that when released it vwill tend to swing outward by its own weight and the weight othitsr contents. The pivots 9 may pass through the sides of the recep-Y tacle 5, Vand through the sides ot the casing 1 and the reinforcement formed by the side flaps of the overhang 6.

The outward swing of the receotacle is limited by the overhang 6, 'as is clearly shown in Fig. 5, and Vmay be further limited by stops 10 upon the inner surface of the sides ot the casing 1, projecting into slots 11, in they sides of the receptacle.

The bottom of the receptacle 5 is formed by a downward swinging door 12, hinged at the back. This door is maintained in its closed relation by the bottom 13, ot' the outer casing-1, when the receptacle is in its closed positiomas seen in Fig. 4, but, when the receptacle swings outward, as seen in Fig. 5, the door 12 drops down and permits the contents of the receptacle to chute over it into the bag below.

14 represents a mail bag, or carriers carrying bag, which is linng upon the hooks 7 and S, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, bet'ore the receptacle 5 is opened. The opening of the receptacle spreads the mouth of the bag 14,

Vand at the same time the contents of the box drop into it. Upon the closing ot the receptacle again, the bag is also automatically closed, so that the mail matter is at no time exposed, but is always completely inclosed and protected.

In the hood 2, at the top of the casing 1, is pivoted the hood closing flap 3, and the receiving flap 15, which two parts with the sides 16 form a receiving chute, into which letters are dropped, when the receptacle is closed, and from which they are delivered into the receptacle ywhen the flap 3 returns to its normal position. When the receptacle 5 is swung outward, as seen in Fig. 5, to discharge its contents, the upper edge of itsY top pushes up the flap 15, so that nothing that might be dropped into the hood could fall into the box until the receptacle was again closed and ready to receive it.

The locking mechanism of the box is composed of two bolts 17 and 18, moving in guides 19, which may be made of angle and Z irons riveted to 'the inner face oi' the front of the receptacle 5. These bolts are pressed outward by springs 20, and their y the bolts from their engagement with thev edges 21, and thus release the receptacle which may then open. The rods or pins 22 may enter slots 23 in the bolts to which they are not fixed, thus serving as guides to maintain themselves and their respective bolts in their proper relation. The ends Yof the bolts are chamfered, Aas at 24, so that lthey are true latches. In order thatthe con.-

tents of the box may not be tampered with by unauthorized parties, I applya tumbler case 25, with tumblers, to the key hole, so that only the proper key7 can open the box. 26 is a stirrup strap to support the outer end of the tumbler case, which may be fastened on the inner side of the receptacle.

Having thus described my invention, and an embodiment of it, in the full, clear and exact terms required by law, and knowing that it comprises novel, useful and valuable improvements in the art to which it tains, I here state that I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction and arper-V Y rangement yofr the several parts, as herein set forth, as the same may be variously modlfied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is the following, to wit 1. A mail box comprising a casing pro? vided with a movable receiving chute, pivoted thereon, as swinging receptacle within said casing adapted to move said chute in a closing position and to permit the same to be opened automatically.

2. A mail boxcomprising an outer casing said casing adapted to close said swinging chute and means for limiting the movements of said swinging receiving chute and receptacle.

4. A mail box comprising a casing, a

, swinging receiving chute pivotally'mounted upon said casing and a swinging receptacle within said casing adapted to closesaid receiving chute. f

5. A mail boxcomprising an outer casing and an inner swinging receptacle, a receiving chute movably mounted on said outer casing and adapted vto be closed by the swinging movements of said receptacle.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses, thisirst day of February, Y

ADELARD F. MARTEL. Witnesses: Y

CHAS. A. MARTEL, WM. S. BATES. 

